Electrically-operated sewing-machine



QNo Model.)

J. S. BIGGAR. BLEGTRIGALLY PERATED SEWING MACHINE. No. 579,511. Patented Mar. 23, 1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN S. BIGGAR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRlCALLY-OPERATED SEWING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters :Patent No. 579,511, dated March 23, 1897.

Application filed January S, 1896. Serial No. 574,688. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN S. BIGGAR., a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of' Cool; and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Electrically-Operated Sewing- Machines, (Case ITO. 2,) of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to electrically-operated sewing-machines, its object being to provide an improved form of machine wherein the needle, the shuttle, and other moving parts are electrically operated and controlled.

In accordance with my invention I preferably mount the needle upon the lower end of a solenoid-core adapted to be reciprocated through the agency of two solenoids which are alternately energized, the circuits through the solenoids being controlled by suitable switch mechanism. I employ a rotary shuttle and gear the shaft upon which the shuttle is mounted to an electric rotary motor which is mounted within the frame or standard of the machine. I provide upon the shaft switchcontacts adapted to control the circuit thro ugh the solenoids that reciprocate the needle.

I will describe my invention more in particular by reference to the accompanying' drawing.

The needle cl. is mounted upon the lower en d of a core t, adapted to be reciprocated by a pair of solenoids b h2. The solenoids h h2 are connected with a common conductor c, which extends to the brush d of a rotary electric motor d, the circuit then extending through the armature of the motor to the brush d2, thence through a controlling-rheostat d* and battery or source of electricity d3 to a brush e, resting against the metallic face c' of the rotating switclrcylinder. Upon the cylinder e also rest brushes e2 ei, the brushes c2 e3 bcin g adapted to alternately engage the metallic surface e' of the cylinder. During the time that one of the brushes, say e2, is in engagement with the metallic cylinder c the other brush, e5, is in contact with the strip of insulation et. Then the brush c3 is in contact with the metallic surface of the cylinder, the brush c2 engages the insulating-strip e5. The brush e2 is connected by a conductor c with the solenoid t. rIhe brush c3 is connected by the conductor c2 with the solenoid h2. The shaft j", upon which the switch-contacts are mounted, is geared to the motor d through the agency of the gear-wheel f and pinion f2. As the shaft f rotates the brush c remains continuously in engagement with the surface e' of the cylinder, while the brushes e2 and e3 alternately engage the metallic surface. Thus current is alternately directed through the solenoids h b2, and the core h is reciprocated to reciprocate the needle d. A lever g, pivoted at g' and yieldingly maintained in an elevated position by the spring g2, is provided in the end with an eye through which the thread maybe passed, the lever being en gaged by a pinion or projection g3, carried upon the core Z1, so that as the core reciprocates the lever gis oscillated to feed the thread forward. The spring g2 serves to maintain the needle in an elevated position when the machine is not in operation. The rotary shuttle f3 is mounted upon the end of the shaft f, and a fly-wheel fl is provided upon the opposite end.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In an electrically-operated sewing-machine, the combination of a needle-holder, a pair of solenoids adapted to reciprocate the same, a rotary shuttle with a shaft upon which said shuttle is mounted, a circuit controlling switch adapted to control the circuits through said solenoids, and a motor contained within the frame or standard of the machine adapted to rotate said shaft and the shuttle and switch mounted thereon, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 97th day of November, A. D. 1895.

JOIIN S. BIGGAR.

"Witnesses:

JOHN XV. SINCLATE, W. CLYDE JoNEs. 

